Eternal Judgment

          This is the last stone in the Foundation of God, and it may be equal to the first Stone in being informative; you will have to decide.

          First of all, we are talking about two deaths and two resurrections we must deal with; we are going to show where a person goes now when they die, whether they be good or bad, that is, those who obey God and those who disobey God; consider:

The First Death

3 We are bound to give thanks to God always to you, brethren, even as it is meet, for that your faith growth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another abounds; 4 so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which ye endure (1); 5 which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God; to the end that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer (2): 6 if so be that it is righteous thing with God to recompense affliction to them that afflict you, 7 and to you that are afflicted rest with us (3), at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire (4), 8 rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus (5): 9 who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord (6) and from the glory of his might.  (2 Thes.1.3-9)

(1) This includes all that I have shown you so far, all the suffering you must go through in putting away the old man and his doings as Peter says:

1Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind for, he that has ceased from sin has suffered in the flesh;  (1Pet.4.1)

(2) Suffering goes with the territory; we suffer all kinds of ways.

(3) Here is the first resurrection, REST.

(4) Here is where Jesus comes and here is the Resurrection.

(5) The Gospel which you have not heard before, which will follow this study, the Lord willing, and he also says, that them who KNOW NOT GOD will suffer that punishment.

(6) And here is the final judgment of those who do not obey God.

And here we see the two places people will go before their final judgment, the righteous and the unrighteous:

19 Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day: 20 and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich mans table; yea, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abrahams bosom (1): and the rich man also died, and was buried. 23 And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments (2), and sees Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime received thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things (3): but now here he is comforted, and thou are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they that would pass from hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us. 27 And he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou would send him to my fathers house; 28 for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 But Abraham saith, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead (4).  (Lk.16.19-31)

(1) This will be the Paradise Jesus talked about, a place of rest until Jesus comes for the saints.

(2) Here again is a place of torment which those who do not obey the Gospel go as they wait for the Judgment; this is the place called, gehenna as Jesus describes it thus:

'...it is good for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell (gehenna); 48 where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. 49 For every one shall be salted with fire.'  (Mk.9.48)

(3) For those who want to hang on to this life, with its pleasures, then you will suffer the same end as the rich man. 

(4) Here is a marvel, as Abraham says that even if someone should be raised from the dead went to those who do not believe, it would not change their minds.  They would not repent!

          Then we find this description of it besides what the rich man was enduring.  This place is called gehenna in the Greek:

41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink, because ye are Christs, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. 42 And whosoever shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble (1), it were better for him if a great millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. 43 And if thy hand cause thee to stumble (2), cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. 45 And if thy foot cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life halt, rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell (ie. gehenna);* 47 And if your eye cause thee to stumble, cast it out: it is good for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell (3); 48 where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched.  (Mk.9.43-49)(* Verse 46 is not in the Greek)

(1) When someone believes the truth, even as I am presenting, but has someone in their church or anyone else who turns them away from believing the truth, you can read the consequences of those who do.

(2) A few years ago, some man did indeed cut off his hand for this very reason, and everyone was so indignant that the man would be so stupid as to believe what Jesus said.

(3) I once talked to a man who went blind, and he said the Lord was judging him because he could not control his eyes.

The Second Death

Here is definitely the place you do NOT want to go:

11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire. 15 And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.  (Rev.2o.11-15)

Hades is gehenna and and those who reside there will be cast into the Lake of Fire.  Hades is where those waiting for judgment are kept...

8 But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.  (Rev.21.8)

But, if you come up in the first resurrection, you will escape the second death:

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: over these the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.  (Rev.20.4-6)

The First Resurrection

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.   (1 Thes.4.13-18)

At the Throne of Judgment

16 And behold, one came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good: but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honor thy father and mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I observed: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wouldest be perfect, go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 22 But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions.

23 And Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needles eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25 And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 And Jesus looking upon them said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.  27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee; what then shall we have? 28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my names sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life.  (Mt.16.27-29)

From Matthew 25, where we find the place of eternal punishment, and the place of eternal life:

31 But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: 32 and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; 36 naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink? 38 And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 And when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry, and ye did not give me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink; 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these least, ye did it not unto me. 46 And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.  (Mt.25.31-46)

Paradise and Gehenna

19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich mans table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abrahams bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.  (Lk.16.19-26)

There are two deaths and two resurrections.

28 Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, 29 and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.   (Jn.5.28,29)

The knowledge of God and the Word of God is everything:

7 Howbeit what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ, 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith: 10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death; 11 if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, 14 I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye are otherwise minded, this also shall God reveal unto you: 16 only, whereunto we have attained, by that same rule let us walk.  (Phil.3.7-16)

The knowledge of God and the Word of God begets us eternal life:

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.  (Jn.17.3)

Here is how we get the wisdom and knowledge of God:

6 We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nought: 7 but we speak Gods wisdom in a mystery, even the wisdom that hath been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory: 8 which none of the rulers of this world hath known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory: 9 but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And which entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him.  10 But unto us God revealed them through the Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knows, save the Spirit of God. 

(1 Cor.2.6-11)

          Now we come to that place most of you do not know about; this will show you that, after you have the Foundation, what you build upon it will become your eternal inheritance, and how that we vary one from another:

41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead.'    (1 Cor.15.41,42)

The Tabernacle of God 

          Now, visualize the Tabernacle Moses set up, and realize it is only a copy of what is in Heaven; there are three places: the First is the Court Yard; here is where those who were not wicked, who lived a good clean life, but did not come to know God.  These people are come from all history where they did not have a chance to know God;

          The Second place, is the Holy Place, which is the first room in the Tabernacle; this is the Kingdom of Heaven;

          The Third place, is the Holy of Holies; this is the Kingdom of God, this is where the glory of God is found; this is where wisdom and knowledge of God is  (Exo.40.34; the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle).  

Our Inheritance

6 Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near: 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

This is their excuse; listen:

1 These things spake Jesus; and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that the son may glorify thee: 2 even as thou gavest him authority over all flesh, that to all whom thou hast given him, he should give eternal life. 3 And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, even Jesus Christ whom thou didst send.  (Jn.17.1-3)

What we learn is our inheritance:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  (1 Pet.1.3-5)

29 The secret things belong unto Jehovah our God; but the things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.  (Deu.29.29)

The Mystery of Christ:

25 whereof I was made a minister, according to the stewardship of God which was given me to you-ward, to fulfil the word of God, 26 even the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints, 27 to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:..  (Col.1.25-27) 

13 in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (ie. the truth; 1 Jn.5.7 ASV), 14 which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of Gods own possession, unto the praise of his glory.  5 For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which ye show toward all the saints, 16 cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; 18 having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.  (Eph.1.13-18)

1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.  (Jn.17.3)

__________

What you have Accomplished

          Now, you have gone through the Foundation of God...you started from being a total mess, being overcome of sins and disobedience; you had no knowledge of the truth, but had been filled with the foolishness of the church world.  So, where are you now?  If you have indeed been obedient to all you have learned you have been BORN OF THE SPIRIT, but there is much more: you have been BORN INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST!  YOU ARE NOW A MEMBER OF HIS BODY. 

          Consider the church world; they sit at the table of demons eating trash and garbage , whereas you have been eating the truth of the Word of God which is the body of Christ, his flesh and his blood; while they say they are in the body and of the body, Paul says that we partake of the one bread (1 Cor.10.16 in context), which is the body of Christ...the truth; since you have now been born of the Spirit by eating and drinking the Truth of the Word of God, you have been born into the Body of Jesus Christ, and are now of his body and of his flesh; you have become a member of the Congregation of Christ.

          See; the whole of the church world claims to be in the body, but how is it possible when all they eat is lies; they have not been partaking of the body of Christ, which is the truth; they have been eating lies and falsehoods, so how is it possible that they be part of the Body of Christ?!...ain't no way.  Your are now BORN AGAIN!, Jesus said there is life IN HIS WORDS (Jn.6.63); you have not been learning lies, but the truth, and thus now you have become that new creation: 

I showed you this before, that you have been IN CHRIST as babes, but now that you have become full grown (as Gal.4.1ff), you are no longer a child in Christ, but are born of the Spirit and have become that NEW CREATION, and thus you are now IN the body of Christ as a mature member. 

          This is what the Foundation of God has done for you, if you have indeed become obedient to all of it.  So, if there are still things you are struggling with, this should give you the incentive to get through it, because once you get there, all things are going to become new to you, even the Word of God. 

          So, go back and review, and be sure you have done it all...

But now, WHAT NEXT?

          If you have accomplished the Foundation, you are born of the Spirit, but the fact is, you have only begun; you have fought through your sins, but now you are through all that, as Paul said, you can begin to build on the Foundation: you have all the Scripture available to you as you never have before...but more: you are going to strive for PERFECTION in Christ so that you might go into the kingdom of God, which you can now see, whereas before you could not.  What this amounts to is that God will put you through trials and tests as He teaches you; it is not a matter of being judged for your sins, but you must now learn the things that Peter mentions: virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and brotherly love...if you have these, he says, they will richly supply you an entrance into the the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet.1.5-7, 11).

          What you lay up for yourself now is an inheritance that will last for ever; if you have a spiritual gift, it will begin to become manifest; your faith will increase as your knowledge of Christ increases (go read Phil.3.9-14).  You can now go sit at the Table of the Lord and eat freely of the wonderful truths of God.

             See: you have only begun...

Amen